Trans-Saharan trade was very important. The Kingdom of Mali became unified because of the Trans-Saharan trade. Once a city state, the Kingdom of Mali grew into a prosperous trading city as trade became huge (Voyages in World History, Volume 1, 3rd edition, by Valerie Hansen and Kenneth Curtis, page 312).
Social and political The Mali Empire was West Africa’s Ancient Empire. Western African Cities were a great influence to the Mali Empire through their culture, language and customs. Depending on the peoples social settings, they were divided into classes.
The Social segregation of the empire resembled the caste system. A king was the supreme power and the classes kept minimizing to slaves, which had no control of their own well being. The first people on top were the rulers who had all power and had all respect of the empire. The rulers were prosperous and important. They were wealthy, educated and even owned land. When it …show more content…
Slaves had no rights and no say so about their life. They were sold and bought by nobles or even judges. Rarely, a slave would have a master who would let them be free and then they would attempt to climb the social ladder. Another option was for them to buy there own freedom.
(Voyages into World History Vol 1 3rd edition, by Valerie Hansen and Kenneth Curtis, page 319)
Ancient Mali Trade Routes The gold industry was very important in the ancient Empire of Mali. The North African coast is where they would trade. They would trade mostly through the Sahara desert by their camels. Even though they would risk each trip through the Sahara due to its dry, hot climate, the trade was very important to the empires economy. The Mamluks in Egypt and the Merinid empire in North Africa made it possible for their gold to make it to the Mediterranean which lead their trade grounds even